Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails - Events

May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

DECEMBER 2008

Plantation Christmas - Saturday, December 6, 1:00 to 4:00 pm, Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site, near Juliette.  Take an afternoon stroll through two of the Jarrell family homes with traditional decoration and natural greenery.  Stories, music and refreshments included.  Jarrell Plantation was visited by part of Sherman’s army during its “March to the Sea.”  Admission $2.50 to $4.00 per person.  Directions: Southbound I-75 to Exit #185, east on GA Hwy. 18, look for signs.  Northbound I-75 to Exit #171, north on U.S. Hwy. 23, then east on GA Hwy. 18, look for signs.  478-986-5172, http://gastateparks.org/info/jarrell.

Christmas at the Cabin - Saturday & Sunday, December 6 & 7, Red Top Mountain State Park, 781 Red Top Mountain Road, Cartersville.  Yuletide celebrations of the 1800’s come to life as demonstrators take you back in time to Christmas at the pioneer homestead.  Experience the sights, smells and sounds of holiday preparations and festivities at the Vaughan Cabin located behind the Lodge.  Enjoy old-time Christmas music, open-hearth cooking, primitive toys, and chestnuts on the fire.  $3.00 parking.  Directions:  I-75 to Exit #285, then 1-1/2 miles east.  770-975-4226, http://gastateparks.org/info/redtop/.

Victorian Christmas - Saturday & Sunday, December 6 & 7, National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus.  The museum will be decorated for the holidays in mid 19th century Victorian style.  Thomas Nast’s idea of Santa Claus will be available for pictures.  Free admission for this weekend!  Directions: I-185 to Exit #6, west on Macon Road, which changes to Wynnton Road, then south on 10th Avenue.  706-327-9798, www.portcolumbus.org.

Annual Christmas Tour of Homes & Colonial Dinner - Friday & Saturday, December 12 & 13, Washington..  Features several private antebellum homes open only for this holiday tour.  Tickets: $30.00 to $80.00.  Directions: I-20 to Exit #165, north on Georgia Hwy. 80 to U.S. Hwy. 78, then west on U.S. Hwy 78 to Washington.  877-221-7689, www.wwtourofhomes.com/.

Kennesaw Mountain Trails Workday - Saturday, December 13, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.  The Kennesaw Mountain Trail Club helps maintain the trails at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.  There are no membership requirements other than a willingness to work.  Trail building experience not necessary.  Meet at the park maintenance area behind the Visitor Center.  The Park provides all necessary tools and safety equipment.  770-427-4686, www.nps.gov/kemo/index.htm.

Christmas on the Homefront - Saturday, December 13, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Historic Site, 4432 Mount Tabor Road, near Dallas.  Gather the family and join us at our 1850s log cabin.  Learn the ways pioneers settled this region and the lifelong struggles and hardships they had to endure.  See open hearth cooking, farming practices and clothing styles.  Admission: $1.75 to $3.00.  Directions: Five miles northeast of Dallas off GA Hwy. 381 on Tabor Church Road, accessed by Dallas-Acworth Road or Due West Road.  From I-20 take Exit #44 (Thornton Road).  770-443-7850, http://gastateparks.org/info/picketts/.

Winter Muster, Battle and Candle Lantern Tour - Saturday, December 13, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Fort McAllister State Historic Park, Richmond Hill.  Enjoy a day of fort activities leading up to the fighting that captured Fort McAllister. Witness and smell the battle that ended Sherman's March to the Sea.  The battle will be followed by a candle lantern tour.  Admission: $2.50 to $4.00.  Directions: I-95, Exit #90, then 10 miles east via GA Hwy. 144, look for signs.  912-727-2339 for reservations, http://gastateparks.org/.

Victorian Christmas at Liberty Hall - Sunday, December 14, 2:00 to 5:00 pm, Alexander H. Stephens State Historic Park, Crawfordville.  The Confederate Vice President’s stately home will feature period decorations and refreshments.  Admission.  Directions: I-20 to Exit #148, two miles north on GA Hwy. 22, then one mile east on U.S. Hwy. 278, look for signs.  706-456-2602, http://gastateparks.org/info/ahsteph/.